Making Connections

Science:

Be a Wave! To demonstrate that an ocean wave is made up of water molecules that go up and down in a circle rather than water moving forward (as a wave seems to do), invite students to stand as shown in the picture below:

Explain that you are going to start the wave by shaking and raising the arm of the student next to you. That student will then shake and raise the arm of the next student, and so on around the semicircle. Encourage students to keep this up until they have a smooth, rhythmic movement going. Many will have “done the wave” at a sporting event and will understand what to do. To enhance the rhythm, you may wish to play in the background one of the many available tapes of the sound of the surf. When the “wave” is moving smoothly, invite the students to keep it up as you lead them very slowly around the room. Explain that they are now a current, and that along with their waving movement they are showing how ocean water circulates across vast areas. Conclude the activity by inviting students to tell why the ocean is often compared to a cradle (slow, rocking motion; birthplace and home of life).